if you are careful with the fruits and vegetables you eat, you will NOT NEED meat to provide extra protein and vitamins.

meat is also multiple-times more costly to the environment to raise than fruits and vegetables, and i guarantee you that such disparity (and the end cost to consumer) will only rise as this overpopulated world moves forward.

Mix in a variety of nuts or peanuts to add protein. You can also purchase soy products e.g. President's Choice (in Canada)vegetarian scallopine or M&M's veg. burgers, which are much cheaper than buying a steak and no cruelty involved. The texture is the same and they taste delicious. If you know how to cook, and I do, your vegetarian choices are unlimited.If cooking meat for other people, I make sure the animal was free run and quick kill. It costs more, but to me, it's worth it.